A grassroots campaign spreading across social media is encouraging Americans to refrain from shopping at major retailers on Friday to send a message to corporations and politicians that they are fed up with rising prices.
“Mega corporations have driven up prices, underpaid their workers, and outsourced jobs while raking in record profits,” said part of a statement appearing on the website for the People’s Union USA, a consumer advocacy group founded by John Schwarz. “For one day, we will show them who really holds the power.”
From midnight Thursday through midnight Friday, Schwarz is asking people not to make any purchases in brick-and-mortar stores or online.
“No Amazon. No Walmart. No Best Buy. Nowhere!” he stated on the group’s website.
He told Americans not to spend money at major retailers or buy gas or fast food, or use credit or debit cards.
Schwarz, a 57-year-old Queens native who now resides outside of Chicago, said it is OK to buy essentials such as food or medicine, but “only support small, local businesses.”
Consumer spending is a powerful part of the U.S. economy, accounting for nearly 70% of gross domestic product, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis..
The People’s Union claimed additional events are in the works, including an Amazon Blackout on March 7-14 in which members are encouraged to cancel their Prime subscriptions. Schwarz also suggested future weeklong campaigns will target companies such as Walmart, Twin Cities-based General Mills and Nestle.
